Problems cantering bareback?

Question

i just got a new horse who is fabulous! however, we are still figuring each other out.

we can walk, trot, and canter with a saddle fine, no problem, but bareback we have some issues.

we can walk and trot (without a saddle) fine, but as soon as I ask Bubs (my new horse) to canter, he starts bucking (at least i`m pretty sure he is... its incredibly bouncy- more than a normal canter should be- and his head is stuck down between his knees) and and takes off with me. I`m pretty sure It`s my fault- like that i`m asking him to strongly (if thats a word) or my leg goes to far back or something.

riding other horses bareback, i can ask them to canter fine, but on him, since he`s new, I guess i`m more nervous or something so i mess up.

but my question is, how can I fix this? like boosting my confidence riding him or something?

i`m fine walking, trotting, and even jumping bareback (at trot), but at cantering we just sort of... mess up.

so any advice would be appreciated.

thanks! :)

Answer 1

maybe he just has a sensitive back and maybe your bounce up and down when cantering and he just doesnt like it

Answer 2

My horse did that too. The first time I rode her bareback she started doing huge bucks that she would not dare do while I am in the saddle. It's probably just because he's not used to it or like you said about how your leg may be in a different place and it feels odd to him. I know that if you keep working with him he will definitely improve, but it takes confidence to get past the hard part. Just be careful and wear a helmet. You may be doing something else too that you just haven't noticed. You could ask someone to watch you ride him and they might notice the thing that's bothering him. Good luck and I hope this helps!

Answer 3

your probably gripping to much with your legs. and the canter bareback is going to feel different. i used to ride this horse, he had to hardest to sit canter with a saddle, but it was super smooth bareback. if he neck reins do that and hold his mane. if he has a soft mouth you might be in his mouth to much and pissing him off. alot of people make the mistake with riding with their hands in the same place as when your riding with a saddle. generally speaking when you do that, it catches the horse in the mouth alot more because of how bumpy it is

Answer 4

Make sure that you can ask him for, and receive, a soft canter on the ground (such as when lunging). Try and sensitize him to your body cues on the ground (as opposed to only using a whip to ask for the gait). When you're confident with that, break down your request for canter, while under saddle. Notice each time you up the strength of your request. For example, politely ask from the inside leg....then build up the request to an over-under type smacker/crop, while maintaining the natural aid. The horse may be more inclined to lift into a canter if he is asked deliberately and politely. Far too often, riders go "yay! canter!" and almost throw the horse into the gait, rather than requesting. Like my mare, this horse my be offended at your request, and he sees the bareback as an opportunity to rebel. Another helpful tip that can be used with the others is get him thinking and playing on the ground, and ask him to canter,jump, etc. to provide an outlet for his bucking. Hope this helps...ask any questions.

Answer 5

I'm guessing that you haven't developed your balance fully enough to ride the canter.  You should be able to ride the trot in figure eights with virtually no leg contact on the horse before you attempt to canter.  When you cue for the canter (once you have better balance), your leg contact will be momentary and not annoying as when a rider hugs the horse's body with the legs to stabilize him/herself.  When you canter, your legs should be relaxed and your calves loose and barely if at all contacting the sides of your horse.  Let your feet dangle and your seat relax into the circular movement of your horse's back and this problem should subside.

Answer 6

I'm guessing that he isn't used to it and may be more sensitive then the other horses you've rode. Or maybe he even had a bad experience bareback.

I would try to ride him in an enclosed area like a roundpen or arena where he can't really go anywhere if he does decide to take off. Always make sure you wear a helmet just in case.

Make sure he isn't feeling fresh and warm him up well. Do lots of figure 8's at the trot and then when you feel comfortable ask for the canter. If he does buck, take off, etc, pull him in a tight circle and try again.

It will take some work to get him to accept it, but it does pay off. Riding bareback is great.

Another thing you can do is to have someone watch you ride him bareback. Even though you might not know it, your legs could be bumping him or you could be jabbing him in the mouth.

Good luck with your horse (:

Answer 7

My horse did that I just had to mover the position that I sat on him because for the pressure points in there backs. Try riding him in a smaller circle before you go to a big one so that you can get control of him before he goes to bucking any harder. sit stright up and roll your hips down so  that you don't bounce on his back. and keep pressure on your legs but don't squeeze and keep your heels down and toes up.  

Answer 8

your leg might be kicking at his flank. His flank.... (how do i describe it!) its that area before the hips that is like a dip. That area is extremely sensitive and you could possibly be accidentally really hurt the horse. All horses are different and on each of them there are just some areas in riding they don't want to do.

Good luck